Moon urges action against sex abuses in SK
SOUTH Korean President Moon Jae-in yesterday ordered police to investigate a growing number of sexual abuse claims as the #MeToo campaign ensnares a growing number of high-profile figures, including entertainers and a priest.
The #MeToo movement has taken off belatedly in maledominated South Korea where discussion of sexual misconduct has long been taboo. The country ranked 118 out of 144 for gender equality last year, according to the World Economic Forum.
The case that helped spark the movement in South Korea moved forward yesterday, with former deputy minister for criminal affairs at the Justice Ministry Ahn Tae-geun saying he would “faithfully cooperate” with prosecutors investigating claims that he groped a subordinate in 2010.
“Gender violence is an issue of a social structure that allows the powerful to sexually oppress or easily wield violence against the weak,” Moon said at a meeting with aides. “I applaud those who had the courage to tell their stories.”
The campaign was triggered by accusations by dozens of women against US film producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, including rape, triggering a wider scandal that has roiled Hollywood and beyond. Weinstein has denied non-consensual sex with anyone.
In recent days, a number of South Korean entertainers have been forced to respond to allegations of misconduct, including Lee Yoon-taek, artistic director of one of South Korea’s top theater groups. He publicly apologized for harassing young actresses but denied allegations of rape.
Actor and university professor Cho Min-ki stepped down from his teaching position and left a role in a new TV series after facing harassment allegations, according to an official at the actor’s former talent agency.
Will Entertainment, Cho’s talent agency for two years, yesterday parted ways with the actor.
Actor Cho Jae-hyun issued a statement on Saturday apologizing for his wrongdoings after detailed sexual harassment allegations against him became public.
Comedian Oh Dal-su issued a statement yesterday denying allegations he harassed a young actress in the 1990s. “The claim against me is not true,” Oh said in a statement cited by South Korean media.
The #MeToo campaign led the Catholic Diocese of Suwon to suspend a senior priest last Friday for alleged abuse against a parishioner during a mission in South Sudan in 2011.
“Our parish sombrely apologizes for clerical abuse and we will ensure to create the environment where all female churchgoers are respected and treated with dignity,” the church said in a statement.
The priest has not been charged.